Monday, September 11, 2006

Bats!

I had a bat in the house last night. I heard you're supposed to open windows and close doors to get it to fly out. Unfortunately, my windows are those long Victorian ones, and with my high ceilings, I think it's harder for them to find their way out. I say "them" because I had another bat last December during the first cold snap. I was hoping that was a freak occurrence, but apparently not. I've been reading on-line and called a few people, so tonight I'll do a bat inspection. Both times the bats were in the kitchen. I've looked in the attic above it and didn't see anything indicating bats. I'm going to look all around the house for stains that would indicate bat entry. I really hope it's not going to be a big, expensive problem to take care of because who wants to spend money on that? I'd much rather spend it on my kitchen or bathroom improvements.

I must say I'm a little disappointed in my cats. Not one of the three even noticed there was a bat flying around. I'm especially surprised about Rudy, the stray tomcat I adopted last fall. He's a good hunter. A couple of weeks ago I noticed some black-looking things on my neighbor's sidewalk and suspected it was a present left by one of their cats. I went over to see (I'm not sure why) and found it was two dead bats. Very disgusting creatures. I know they're beneficial and I don't want to kill them. I just don't want to live with them.

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

I get rid of bats by opening the nearest door that has a light outside/near it and turning on the light. The bugs will be attracted to the light, and the bat will be attracted to the bugs. Bats tend to gravitate towards light, too.

They also carry rabies, so it's probably a good thing your cats weren't interested, just in case!

Anonymous said...

I have had a couple bats as well, and I was totally freaked out but the first one, until I read more about them. If you only have had a couple, they probably don't live in the house but are finding their way in somehow. I think ours got in the basement or down the chimney somehow. They typically come in in the fall. If you can manage this, try to bat them down with a broom (gently enough, you won't hurt them), they will be sort of a shock and fall to the ground, and then you can cover them with a cardboard box, slide something underneath the box to keep it in there, and take it outside and let it go. I've done this a few times. MOST bats are not rabid, and aren't interested in you at all... they want the bugs.

Durf said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Durf said...

I don't think I'm going to call anyone about removing the bats. I can't see any sign that they're taking over the attic or anything. I think some of the info I was reading on-line is written by contractors trying to scare people into hiring them. Cute cat, Jennifer!

Anonymous said...

Your house looks wonderful, and in good hands!

I'm beginnning a blog about my own neo-gothic home, in Sydney Australia.

I was hoping we could talk about your restoration. I would really appreciate discussing your project!

Please e-mail me at occipitalranger@gmail.com

Thanks, and keep posting!

Anonymous said...

Home improvement is a great financial investment, either in the money you put into it or the money you hope to get out of it. All 40,000 of our building, remodeling, Temecula Bathroom Remodel renovation and construction contractors in all fifty states and Canada are checked for state licensing and insurance requirements at the time of their enrollment. Whether you are a contractor or homeowner, ServiceMagic has the answer . Home remodel contractors or Building new construction ServiceMagic has the answer to all of your home improvement needs and questions. Again Thank you for Visiting fallbrook remodeling,,